Q. Isab. Lord Edmund and Lord Mortimer alive! Welcome to France! the news was here, my lord, That you were dead, or very near your death. Y. Mor. Lady, the last was truest of the twain: Hath shaken off the thraldom of the Tower, 40 P. Edw. How mean you, and the king my father lives? No, my Lord Mortimer, not I, I trow. Q. Isab. Not, son! why not? worse! I would it were no But, gentle lords, friendless we are in France. 45 Y. Mor. Monsieur Le Grand, a noble friend of yours, Told us, at our arrival, all the news, How hard the nobles, how unkind the king Hath shew'd himself: but, madam, right makes room 50 And others of our part and faction; Yet have we friends, assure your grace, in England Would cast up caps, and clap their hands for joy, 55 To see us there, appointed for our foes. Kent. Would all were well, and Edward well reclaim'd, For England's honour, peace, and quietness! Y. Mor. But by the sword, my lord, 't must be deserv'd; The king will ne'er forsake his flatterers. Sir J. My lords of England, sith th' ungentle king Of France refuseth to give aid of arms To this distressed queen his sister here, Go you with her to Hainault; doubt ye not, 60 We will find comfort, money, men, and friends, Ere long, to bid the English king a base. 65 How say, young prince, what think you of the match? 70 Kent. Sir John of Hainault, pardon us, I pray; These comforts that you give our woful queen Bind us in kindness all at your command. Q. Isab. Yea, gentle brother; and the God of heaven Prosper your happy motion, good Sir John ! Y. Mor. This noble gentleman, forward in arms, 75 80 [Exeunt. SCENE III. London, a room in the King's Palace. Enter KING EDWARD, ARUNDEL, the elder SPENSER, the younger SPENSER, and others. K. Edw. Thus after many threats of wrathful war Y. Spen. What news, my lord? 5 K. Edw. Why, man, they say there is great execution Done through the realm. My lord of Arundel, You have the note, have you not? Arun. From the lieutenant of the Tower, my lord. K. Edw. I pray let us see it. [Takes the note from ARUNDEL.] What have we there? Read it, Spenser. IO [Gives the note to the younger SPENSER, who reads their names. Why so; they bark'd apace a month ago: Now, on my life, they'll neither bark nor bite, Now, sirs, the news from France? Glocester, I trow, 15 What now remains? have you proclaim'd, my lord, Y. Spen. My lord, we have; and if he be in England, 'A will be had ere long, I doubt it not. 20 K. Edw. If, dost thou say? Spenser, as true as death, He is in England's ground; our portmasters Are not so careless of their king's command. Enter a Messenger. How now! what news with thee? from whence come these? Mes. Letters, my lord, and tidings forth of France 25 To you, my lord of Glocester, from Levune. K. Edw. Read. [Gives letters to the younger SPENSER. Y. Spen. [reading]. My duty to your honour premised, &c., I have, according to instructions in that behalf, dealt with the King of France his lords, and effected, that the queen, all discontented and discomforted, is gone: whither, if you ask, with Sir John of Hainault, brother to the marquis, into Flanders. With them are gone Lord Edmund, and the Lord Mortimer, having in their company divers of your nation, and others; and, as constant report goeth, they intend to give King Edward battle in England, sooner than he can look for them. This is all the news of import.—Your honour's in all service, LEVUNE. K. Edw. Ah, villains, hath that Mortimer escap'd? With him is Edmund gone associate? 40 And will Sir John of Hainault lead the round? 45 Between you both shorten the time, I pray, That I may see that most desirèd day, When we may meet these traitors in the field! Ah, nothing grieves me, but my little boy Is thus misled to countenance their ills! 50 Come, friends, to Bristow, there to make us strong; And, winds, as equal be to bring them in, [Exeunt. SCENE IV. The Queen's Camp, near Orwell, Suffolk. Enter QUEEN ISABELLA, PRINCE EDWARD, KENT, the younger MORTIMER, and SIR JOHN OF HAINAULT. Q. Isab. Now, lords, our loving friends and countrymen, Welcome to England all, with prosperous winds! Our kindest friends in Belgia have we left, To cope with friends at home; a heavy case When force to force is knit, and sword and glaive 5 With their own weapons gor'd! But what's the help? Y. Mor. Nay, madam, if you be a warrior, IO 15 20 25 Sir F. Sound trumpets, my lord, and forward let us march. Edward will think we come to flatter him. Kent. I would he never had been flatter'd more! 30 [Exeunt. SCENE V. Near Bristol. Enter KING EDWARD, BALDOCK, and the younger Y. Spen. Fly, fly, my lord! the queen is over-strong; Her friends do multiply, and yours do fail. Shape we our course to Ireland, there to breathe. Bald. O no, my lord! this princely resolution Enter KENT, with a sword and target. 5 [Exeunt. Kent. This way he fled; but I am come too late. ΙΟ Edward, alas, my heart relents for thee! Proud traitor, Mortimer, why dost thou chase Thy lawful king, thy sovereign, with thy sword? Vile wretch, and why hast thou, of all unkind, Borne arms against thy brother and thy king? Rain showers of vengeance on my cursèd head, Thou God, to whom in justice it belongs To punish this unnatural revolt! Edward, this Mortimer aims at thy life: O, fly him then! But, Edmund, calm this rage; Fie on that love that hatcheth death and hate! 15 20 25 Enter QUEEN ISABELLA, PRINCE EDWARD, the younger MORTIMER, and SIR JOHN OF HAINAULT. Q. Isab. Successful battle gives the God of kings To them that fight in right, and fear his wrath. |